I was introduced to Pat via cassette tape. My cousin included him in a playlist of other bands from the era – some of whom became mainstream, while others did not. Pat and The Jazz Butcher Conspiracy remain one of the most influential of my lifetime, right next to icons like David Bowi;.

I had the good fortune to see Pat and David J play at Seattle's The Crocodile in the aughts. It was one of the highlights of that decade, let alone my life. I even saved a torn scrap of the show poster I pulled from the bathroom wall. That scrap of paper now lives in a tiny wooden box where I keep mementos from the most influential, pivotal moments of my life.

Pat Fish, I never met you personally. We were never friends. But you had an outsized impact on my life. You were there at parties. You were there on road trips. You were with me when I missed my friends and family. And you were there at the most heart-wrenching moments of my life. I know you're out there somewhere – playing a hollow-body on a cloud with reverb echoing among the stars. You weren't a simple person. You weren't a saint. But you made beautiful, witty music that helped a lot of people – helped me – through some really wonderful and hard times. Your creativity will be missed.

A copy of this compilation, it's sleeve terribly battered with the name Lottie scrawled across the front in red marker, but the vinyl itself in decent condition, arrived this afternoon. It was the first JB album I owned, bought on a whim in college in the late 80's. And it wasn't the last. Last Move Sideways popped in my head the other day and reminded me how much I loved them. Sat down and found a copy and ordered immediately. Thanks Pat, wherever you are. Your music still makes me smile after 30+ years.

I found myself listening to a mixed recording of Pat's music last night, smiling while reading an interview he did in 2021. I realized it had been two years, and mourned again that the world has lost such wit and charm and beautiful tune-smithery. It's Thanksgiving here this Monday, and I will give mine to the memory of He whose music profoundly shaped my life. We will not forget.

rediscovered a tape I made to listen to in the car 30 years ago of various JBC songs, and came here to find out that Pat died a couple years back. Sad news to me today. sigh.

Just learned of the passing of the JB/Mr.Fish. I guess like all of my heroes I thought naively he would live forever. But wait, he does, in the music he left us JB followers. I am forever thankful for the good times and complex feelings brought on by JB’s lyrics and music. Thanks for making music fun and enlightening all at the same time.

I felt happy when I listened to The Jazz Butcher's music. Having just learned he won't be making any more I now feel sad. That's the way life goes. Thank you, Jazz Butcher, for the ride.

I'm stunned to learn of Pat's demise, and more stunned that I'm just learning about it 16 months after the fact. I first discovered JBC in 1989 when I was in graduate school and bought a CD copy of Big Planet Scarey Planet on a whim. That led to multiple years of trying to assemble a complete collection. I saw them for the first time at First Avenue in Minneapolis in 1992. Years later in 1999 I flew from Chicago to San Francisco to see the early lineup at the Great American Music Hall, and met a number of fine people from the (at the time) mailing list. I still have my CD copy of the show recorded at the Crocodile Club in Seattle a few nights later. Then the next year I was fortunate to have that same lineup play in Chicago at Shubas, which was such a wonderful time. JBC was a big part of my musical life for decades, and I'm truly sorry to hear of Pat's passing. RIP Pat.

I am sad. I treasure my JB albums and how happy they made me feel. There's always a Jazz Butcher song on every playlist I make. I was only fortunate enough to see them once at that Roxy show. Man, it was happy fun. I need to feel happy now so I'll listen to those albums again.

"The Roxy, on the Rox," Sunset boulevard, Hollywood, CA; early 90's: A post-show gathering featured our Northampton hero planted casually on wooden stairs, surrounded by and engaging with his minions. I dressed in a boyfriend's suede jacket (for the occasion, you know!), and an enormous smile which I gleaned from this special moment. Maestro Fish was equally game, cozying up for the camera with one arm slung over my shoulder. His signature pushed-up sleeve now brings a tear. A cherished moment captured live and in color. RIP, with affection.

Hello David and Friends It is very hard for me to write this message. I'm going through the same thing as you 6 months ago. I honestly believed that Pat Fish was indestructible and that I could talk to him one of these days... I only just learned of his death. I saw him several times in concert in the 80s (I kept all the tickets) and once in 94, in Toulouse. Like many of you, I cherish a few fragments of space-time shared with him. Here are 2 of them: When I met him for the first time (in 1987, after the Tours concert), A Scandal in Bohemia had been playing on my turntable for months. It was the time when I started a band with a friend just because I dreamed of one day opening for The Jazz Butcher (which never happened). I loved his music, and I had a great love story with him in my head. Everyone made fun of me. That evening, when he dedicated La Mer to me during the concert, I almost passed out. The friends who had asked for this dedication without warning me then dragged me backstage, and I found myself face to face with my hero. I have lost all my means; I was paralyzed. Since I didn't speak a word of English, I just looked at him goofily. He had the elegance not to laugh and he very courteously carried on the conversation on his own (and in French, too). I have dazzling memories of it. I saw Pat in concert again in 1994, in Toulouse. I was much more relaxed than in 1987, and I was doing a little better in English. When he asked me what happened to my group, I was able to tell him in the language of Shakespeare that I had been kicked out like someone dirty. FIRED! I still had a lot on my plate; but that evening, thanks to Pat, I managed to laugh at this distressing episode. I missed his last concert in Paris, in 2019. I missed the Fishy Mansions Sessions when they were broadcast. I did not see the announcement of his death. Since 2018, I have no longer been able to access my old Facebook account, the one thanks to which, in the 2010s, I became friends again with the great Pat Fish. And in recent months, I have done everything to avoid social networks. But I was planning to send him an invitation from my new account as soon as I felt better. Today I feel like my heart has been ripped out. I think very much of his loved ones, of his pocket tiger and of all those who knew him and who love his music... Faustine

I just learned today of Pat's untimely death and I'm genuinely saddened by the loss. I picked up an LP version of Bloody Nonsense while a student at Michigan State in the mid 80s, and was hooked. Had the good fortune to see the JB at Schubas in Chicago in 2000 (fantastic show), but my luck hit it's zenith in 2010 when my family and I traveled to London for a spring break vacation. On a whim, I reached out to him through the site, asking if there was any way I could have him come to London to perform for us. Stayed at the Andaz in East London, and I visited a pub the night before to ask the manager if we could come by with Pat to watch him perform there. He said as long as we ate and drank there, that would be fine. He showed up in the hotel lobby the following night, right on time, wearing a black suit and his guitar in hand. Lovely guy, and we made our way up to the room to chat. Told him of my plan to use the pub, and he agreed, so we walked over. I believe it was a Monday night, and the place was packed, so it was determined to not be suitable for us to stay, we we had some drinks and food, and headed back to the hotel. For the next few hours, he entertained us in our room with his acoustic guitar, playing standards and taking requests from me. I had brought along all of my JB CDs and he autographed them all, drinking Becks beer throughout the evening (when I asked him what kind of beer he favored, he said "anything of German stripe." I had a good friend from Wales with me, who is the same age as Pat, and he loved it as well. At one point, they broke out in song with the old "Hitler, has only got one ball, the other, is in the Albert Hall..." It was fucking fantastic. When the evening ended, he graciously thanked me for having him and made his way into the night on a train to Northampton. THANK YOU for a splendid, evening, Pat and may you rest in peace.

One of the more bizarre things Alan McGee's Creation label did was signing one of the biggest bands in the world (Oasis) while also giving an international platform for bands no one had a clue existed. One such band, The Jazz Butcher, was allowed to develop at Creation without the pressures of commercialism. When the band toured in the early 90s they visited Edmonton a couple times where I saw them play at The Bronx venue. I fondly recall when lead Butcher Pat Fish did an in-store at the HMV at West Ed Mall where he pointed at me and remarked on my Husker Du t-shirt. Pat was able to write, sing and play with an honesty that can effortlessly bring me to tears. It's this intimate style of genuine human engagement that is rare in the entertainment business. Thanks for the music, Pat!

Ah I guess that's so many people's problem these days:
You can see the hills - you just can't go there

Still rocked by this news and deeply saddened. Been going back through Pat's catalog and it is incredible. Shimmering. Fresh. Funny. Earnest. The musicality: unparalleled. I have purposefully pulled behind a slow car or timed red lights on the way to work so that I can hear one more Butcher song. Back in '89, I was studying abroad and saw that the Jazz Butcher was playing in London at Subterania, if memory serves. I ventured out alone and caught the show. It was amazing. During a break, Pat walked to the bar to grab what must have been a pilsner. I was walking away with one in hand. We passed each other and I think I said something like "Hey, Pat. That was fantastic!" He stopped, looked me in the eyes, and said "thanks, mate." Not much of a story, I know, but he could have simply brushed by me or ignored me. That's not Pat. I feel incredibly lucky to have seen them live and met him fleetingly. We have lost a great one.

I was in pitchfork yesterday and reading a review of your last album when I found out that you had past away. I have been a fan since the first time I heard Southern Mark Smith in the early 80s! I've collected your albums both on vinyl and then CD and followed you on Bandcamp. I've introduced your music to friends and girlfriends. You will be sadly missed! Today I'm just listening to your music to remember what you meant to me in my life and how your music moved me! RIP!

Pat - you were a friend and an inspiration. I am still in denial that you are gone. Thank you for what you gave to me in words and sound in the time you were here.

I was fortunate enough to go to college in the mid-80s. And the music of the time was magical, a gift. My older brother found The Jazz Butcher first with Bloody Nonsense. He shared and I was hooked from then on. Who knew that music could be this intelligent and silly all at the same time? Fast forward to 2005 and of course Just Like Betty Page is on our wedding reception playlist. I was lucky enough to see JBC in a small bar (perfect) in the early 2000s. Amazing show. Deeply saddened in 2021 to hear of Pat Fish's passing, the man who gave us all these gifts. And then one more on Feb. 4, 2022. Another brilliant album. Goodnight Sweetheart, indeed. And thank you for making all our lives better.

Having just setup my turntable after it was boxed up for 6 years, one of the first LPs I put on was “Distressed Gentlefolk” and the included 45rpm disc “Conspiracy LP”. It seems like these are as fresh today as they were when I heard them in 1986. Such great music fusing so many styles. Playing these had mine wondering what has happened to the Jazz Butcher. Imagine my surprise to read of Pat’s recent passing. That The Jazz Butcher left a mark on my musical interest over the decades is obvious to me, and I am sure those that knew him would say he left a mark on them, too.

Can’t wrap my mind around the news that Pat as flown from this world - and far too soon. So many memories - helping the band load their equipment into a van after playing a gig in Guelph Ontario in 1988; attending that amazing El Mocombo gig for the Condition Blue tour in 1992; finding a copy of that ill-fated live album Western Family - probably the first album ever to be named after a Canadian condiment manufacturer- I could go on. Pat - you mean so much to me - thanks for all the joy you have given (and continue) to give) me. You forever fan, Pete

Was floored to hear this, since we had emailed a day or so before. You were a true original and I valued your friendship. Thanks for staying in touch over the decades. Sleep Easy, Old Stick. Best Ever, Meathook

I originally sent this out in an Email to My Music
Loving Friends, but a Mate of Mine suggested I
should post this on the JBC Website, so here it
is:

Not being a SocialMediaGuy, I sometimes find out
Music News a little later than most people. One
thing I would always do is pop by The Jazz
Butcher’s Website every couple of months or so to
see what he was up to & hoping to get good news
about “Jazz Butcher Singles & Rarities” would
someday see the music finally released on CD after
all these years of waiting.

Well in the middle of November I found out the Sad
News that Pat Fish had passed away & the
Bittersweet News that “Dr Cholmondley Repents: A-
Sides, B-Sides and Seasides” had just been
released in the UK.

I first stumbled upon the Jazz Butcher at “Sam the
Record Man” back in 1986. There were 2 Domestic
Releases that just hit the Record Stores in Canada
which were “Bloody Nonsense” which was a
collection of A & B Sides released in the UK &
“Distressed Gentlefolk” which also included the
Bonus LP “Conspiracy”. Both releases had
excellent “Handwritten Reviews” from
members of Sam’s Staff & my brother Ken who was
with me at the time told me “The Jazz Butcher; you
would like his music as he is a lot like “Lloyd
Cole” Well, I found out he was nothing like “Lloyd
Cole” but it was still one of my best Musical
Recommendations that I ever received.

“Distressed Gentlefolk” I had never heard an album
that managed to blend pop, rock, blues, folk,
smooth jazz, western stomp, ragtime & a touch of
soul all on “One Record.” The album even ended
with one of the most Gorgeous Ballads you may have
never heard “Angels.” When I listened to the bonus
LP “Conspiracy” I found out the “Jazz Butcher”
could also “Rap” better than a lot of that stuff
that we hear on “Mainstream Music Radio” these
days. I Later picked-up “Bloody Nonsense” which
was a “Glorious Mixed Bag” of Music from “Smart
Fast Witty Pop” to “Punk Rock” of “Caroline
Wheeler’s Birthday Present” & the “Bakersfield
Country” of “The Devil is My Friend.” I LOVED IT
ALL ……

Back in 80’s there was “No Internet”, so we had to
shop for “Records” the “Old Fashioned Way”. We had
to go Downtown & look for them. I wanted to get my
hands on those previous “Jazz Butcher Records”
that were only available as “imports.” In Toronto
you did not always find those Records at “Sam the
Record Man” we would look for those at “The Record
Pedlar.” I did not find them all, but I did
eventually find a copy of “In Bath of Bacon” which
was the first Album “The Jazz Butcher” ever
released back in 1983. When I got home & played
the Record, I was upset to find a “Little Scratch”
on the first track; not enough to cause the Record
to “Skip” but I had to listen to the “Click, Tick,
Click, Tick” for about 20 seconds or so on the
Record. The rest of the record played fine, but I
never returned the Album to “The Record Pedlar” as
I thought that I would “Never” get another Copy
ever again?

I had a ticket to see The Jazz Butcher play the
“Rivoli” back in the Summer of 1987, but I never
got to experience that Intimate Show as the Show
got cancelled a couple of weeks prior to the date.
It might have been the “Greatest Show” that I
never experienced; instead, my first “Jazz Butcher
Show” came in June of 1988 & I was accompanied by
my “Band of Merry Mates” who had also just left
Family Nest around that time in our lives.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of “The
Worse Concerts” that I ever attended as the Sound
was “Horrible” The show was at RPM. You may have
an RPM “Horror Show” of your own? I never liked
that venue & glad it is Long Gone. The Jazz
Butcher did return to RPM again in November of
1989 & so did I, but my “Band of Merry Mates” did
not. That show was better, but it was still RPM
(later The Gouvernment). The Magical Show finally
happened in November of 1990 at “The Diamond” &
then the final show “The Jazz Butcher” ever played
in Toronto was in the Summer of 1992 at “The El
Mocombo”, which was another great show.

The Music never stopped, but The Record Company
“Pulled the Plug” on “Jazz Butcher Domestic
Releases” & of course there were no more Tours on
this side of the Pond either. I still Loved &
Followed his Music, even though I had to pay those
few extra Dollars for those “Import Releases”
through the rest of his career. The very last
“Jazz Butcher Album” released in 2012 was “Last of
the Gentleman Adventurers” It was a “Fan Funded”
Record. Thanks to “The Fans” that funded that
record!

Well, “Pat Fish” aka “The Jazz Butcher” has gone
to Heaven but we still & will always have his
Music to Play & the Memories that go along with it
all. Thanks “Pat” & please raise a Glass to “The
Jazz Butcher” the next time you have drink in your
hand. He would not want it any other way!

Rest in Peace "Pat" & Peace to All

I only know the great man from records; he never played anywhere near where I live. But those records were superb and he always came across as a good man. See you further on up the road, Pat!

I was a wee 16 or so when I first heard "The Devil is my Friend" while on a trip to a college town to visit some friends. I remember a friend earlier mentioning seeing TJBC play in Chicago around that time and that the show was incredible. The lyrics attached to this bit of the band's wares indeed seemed to be a few leagues ahead what was playing on the radio circa 1986. And who could be against a tune involving Satan and 20 rum and cokes? Anyway, after that, I was a devoted purchaser of all things JB (when such things could be found in those pre-Interweb days) and was even lucky enough to see the lads play twice (Madison, WI and Troubadour LA). Gobsmacked that the travelling bohemian behind the beautiful mayhem is gone. Rest in peace, Pat. We will miss you.

Hard to believe I missed his passing, but things were heavy here and things were missed. The JBC made a huge difference in my life. Saw them a few times in the U.S., and lucked into one show in Camden Town. All the records were very personal to me. Condition: Blue. RIP, and peace to all.

I remember seeing the Jazz Butcher at the Roxy in '86. We had all been listening to the new album at the time and I made it my life's mission to see Pat and the gang when they came to town. What a fantastic show. The show was witty and personal, just like the music they wrote. This show is still at the top of my all time favorite shows. I've been a lifelong Jazz Butcher fan ever since. So sad to hear of Pat's passing. Luckily he left us all such great music to remember him by for generations to come.

Somehow I missed the news a few months back. What gorgeous, quirky, and important music he made.

It’s so sad that another here of the 80s is gone.
Your music was, is and will ever be a part of my live.
Thank you for the melodies and lyrics.
Rest In Peace!

There are loads of Pat's songs in it. RIP you great man.

Spring 1985: Heard "Southern Mark Smith" for the
first time and went out to buy Scandal the next
day. That song, that album became the soundtrack
to my summer and has stayed with me forever. A
touchstone I always return to.

The years flowed and with them so many other great
songs - you were amongst the best of your
generation, Pat. Such a distinctive guitar, wit,
and voice. And your last (Last of the Gentlemen
Adventurers) was as good as anything that came
before. How many can say the same?

Despite your advocacy, I know the devil isn't
really my friend. But I always thought you were.
There for me through thick and thin over the past
36 years. Thank you for that and goodbye dear
friend.

Heartbroken to hear of Mr. Fish's passing. He is remembered fondly and will be sorely missed. Happy to have been able to catch a show away back in the day at the Roxy Theater in Hollywood. We will be giving the old tunes many spins in the coming weeks.
Rest easy Pat.

The then Coventry Polytechnic on a Saturday night
sometime in the early 80s - wonderful gig.
'Southern Mark Smith' remains in my Top Ten
singles of all time.

Thank you Pat for all the music.

My friend and I once witnessed Pat totally rocking
out to an audience of about 10 at the Orpheum Graz.
He was our hero ever since. Thanks, Pat, for the
words, the music and the commitment.If we can't
carry the torch for you, we might at least carry
your guitar case, if we should meet again.

Danke Pat,
von der Schulzeit bis heute war ein langer Weg den wir teils über Venyl und teils nach dem Gig gegangen sind....
Rip

he was the senior father of conscious chaos was fishpat! northampton is graced for ever now..he walks among with angel style all ways! thanks bud!

I don't know how many times I have heard A Scandal In Bohemia - 1000 times?
Thank you Pat, cheers, and rest in peace

Can't find the right words. Chose this subject I'm memory of his Guardian posts. Wonderful memories of those 80s gigs and beyond. Will miss the footie banter we had on messenger. Your brilliant mind, great sharp sense of humour and unique musical talent filled us all with joy. An animal lover to boot. Rest easy Pat, our hearts are heavy at your passing but your legacy lives on. For always. Much love.

I still can't believe that you won't be gracing us with your Fishy Mansion Performances and sharing True Stories. Thank you so much Pat for all the music over the years. Your live performances that I was extremely lucky to attend quite a few times out in California. Being so nervous to meet you in person and relaxing straight away because it was like meeting an old friend for drinks. Feeling an immense hole since you've gone, but filling it up with all the music you've created over the years, other people's stories about you and feeling incredibly lucky that I lived in the world when you did. Cheers Pat. x "I shan't forget you,"

Missing you hugely
Rest In Peace Fishy
you were very much one of a kind.

Thanks for all the good times, and thanks for the fantastic live performance in Toronto back in the 80's, even though you were suffering through a toothache! I'll be raising one or two ( or maybe three, four, or more ) to you tonight!

Pat, we love your music since A Scandal times and we were lucky to meet you on many occasions during recent years. It was a pleasure to see you play live, and to talk to you about anything and everything. It hurts never meeting you again. We will never forget you. Our deepest condolences to Pat`s family and friends.

I first heard the brilliant work of The Jazz Butcher in the mid-80s via a tiny, distant college radio station in Illinois. Who could not be charmed by Pat and Max's genius on display in "Who Loves You Now"? Distressed Gentlefolk was the first CD I bought when I got my first CD player.

I was fortunate enough to see Pat (and sometimes Max) play in Boston, San Francisco, and New York. So much great work over these many years!

I'll miss you, Pat. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones, and to the many other fans who are feeling this loss.

Wonderful songs.
Intelligent, varied, and often amusing.

Just now dancing to Southern Mark Smith in the kitchen with my wife. We only saw the JBC once at St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit but we were hooked for life. We seriously thought of asking Pat and mates to play our wedding back in 1989. We acquiesced to social norms but have never gotten over our love for The Butcher. I can’t tell you how many times me, my wife and two grown daughters rock out to The Jazz Butcher Theme. RIP Pat - you will be missed. Thanks for sharing Time with us before you passed. Another beautiful musical gem from you. Thanks as always.

I was born in Bari, south of italy. no many gigs there. I was 16-17 years old and in few months I managed to see: The Woodentops, The jazz Butcher and Julian Cope. They changed my life. I had the pleasure to meet Pat via Pete Kember and one of the things I am most proud of it was in july 2010 when I dj the night to raise money for Natt, with Sonic Boom, Will C, Rosco and Pat Fish singing "walking with jesus". I love you Pat and I will miss you. I wanted to be you when I was a kid! Kiko

Thanks so much for the music Pat! Southern Mark Smith - still one of my favourite songs after nearly 40 years….still lifts me up when I feel down. RIP X

I just heard this morning about the passing of the singular Pat Fish. His music was a huge part of my internal life and I always delighted in sharing it with the unitiated. I still can feel the thrill of finding a copy of A Scandal in Bohemia or Bloody Nonsense in the "J" bin of a record store on this far side of the Atlantic. My condolences to all those feeling this loss now.

Thanks for your music. Thank you Pat, for making our lives a bit better with your songs... great songs. All your fans love you now, love you forever. R.I.P.

Schlaf schön, mein Freund.

I am waiting for the rain to wash the pain away...
But it doesn't rain...

I have always been a Jazz Butcher Fan since the Skandal in bohemia Album came out which i bought shamefully as a teenager because i loved the Cover. There first 3 or 4 Album Struck a chord with me and i always loved the Personalities of pat and Max. Jbs are one of 10 Bands or so which i always come back too since my teenage years (devo would be another one). The news of the death of Pat saddens me.

I first met Pat as the producer of the 1988 Victoria Park Pavillion show in Kitchener Ontario Canada. We had a memorable time. When we met again at U Waterloo in 1992 he treated me like an old friend and gave me shit for not looking him up when I was in England the previous summer. My condolences to family and friends. He was a one of a kind. JPM

I was fortunate enough to stumble across a Jazz Butcher record in the small Canadian town where I lived in 1987. That sound made an immediate impact and I was an avid fan from that day on. I only ever had the pleasure of seeing Pat perform live once, in Vancouver at the Commodore Ballroom in 89 or 90. Fantastic show.

So saddened by this news. Taken too soon. Condolences to family and friends.

No words can express the sadness I’ve been feeling
since my friend Kate let me know two weeks ago
today of our loss of the magnificent Pat Fish. We
met Pat in November of 1989 at Maxwell’s in
Hoboken, NJ-our first JBC gig after having
discovered them in ’87. Our small group of loyal
followers traveled up and down the East Coast of
the USA , throwing post-gig “bathroom “ parties
with Pat and his co-conspirators in attendance.
The times we spent with Pat between ’89 and 2000
are among the very best in my 55 years on the big
planet. Without a fraction of hyperbole I say Pat
wasn’t just a singer/songwriter/musician. When he
walked in a room there was an aura around him-pure
magic like I had never experienced in a human
before or since. It’s sad to know that will never
happen again. My wife and I were lucky enough to
spend a day and night with Pat at his home in
Northampton in 1994. What a gracious host he was.
We drank, smoked, laughed, listened to records,
looked through photos in his scrapbooks, and
continued the drinking on a pub crawl. Another
unforgettable memory.
When Pat became unwell, so many fans and friends
made contributions to pay back the joy and love he
had brought into so many people around the world.
I thought everything was ok with his health and
then October 5th came. My few JBC friends and I
are thinking of him every day, playing his songs,
and talking of the happy times we had. I see some
names of people I’ve met along the way
contributing to this memoriam: Max, Peter C, Alex
G, Richard F, Tim K, Dagmar( December 19, 1989,
Atlanta), Tom P, it was nice to hang out with all
of you. Thanks to David W for all you’ve done
throughout the years chronicling Pat’s music and
travels. Much love to Pat-forever. See you on the
other side.
Scott Schleentz, Jersey Posse

Keeping the Curtains Closed: R.I.P. The Jazz Butcher

https://magnetmagazine.com/2021/10/17/keeping-the-curtains-closed-r-i-p-the-jazz-butcher/

Dear Pat

Thanks for all the music, private concert, and wonderful memories. RIP and say hi to Dooj for me. You and your talents will be missed.

Where the sheep once played there's only wheat
Staring stupidly at me and my feet

How's that for poetry? I'm going to miss Pat Fish, knowing there was more music in him. Distressed Gentlefolk remains my favorite, but Betty Page, Girls Who Keep Goldfish, Partytime, Lost in France, so many others all the way to Shakey will accompany me to my own demise.

Thank you, last of the gentleman adventurers.

You will be sorely missed Pat Fish. Much love to your friends and family.

The first Jazz Butcher song I heard was The Human Jungle sometime back in 1986. A friend at the radio station I DJ’d at lent me a tape. Who knew that the Butcher would remain such an important part of my life?

In 1987 my girlfriend and purchased the Distressed Gentlefolk album together, the first shared purchase of what would become 35 years together. Angels became “our song”. And it sounds like so many other people’s too.

I was lucky enough to see Pat play 2 solo shows in pubs in London in 1988. I remember a one-eyed man who sat outside the entrance of the first pub who said “You here to see the Fish? DOWNstairssss….” The second show featured Alan McGee from Biff Bang Pow in a “guitar war” and Pat roared past him during an incredibly heart-felt version of Angels. He went on a guitar heavy tangent that blew the small dark room away. Such amazing energy.

The Jazz Butcher has always been there. Mr Odd’s crazy psychedelic guitar solo on a drug-fueled road trip through Kansas, The Best Way reminding us all why its good not to eat our animal friends, Big Saturday ringing in a new year or starting a brilliant Spring day. And the entire Scandal in Bohemia album on road trips. My Desert is Waiting.

The posts here confirm that Mr Fish was a loving, kind gentleman. He was a friend to those who knew him and all of us who never got the chance to meet him. His passing hits hard - because it seems like Pat’s words and music were always present at important moments for many here on this message board. They certainly were for me.

Decades after seeing him in the 80’s - we got to see The Jazz Butcher at the Troubador in LA with the “dream team” - Pat, Max, David and Kevin (they were probably discussing swimming pools in all the backyards before the show). It was a perfect evening and they played with such ease and life and humor. One of those ‘life-changing’ shows we all hope for.

Pat wrote such lovely poetry. Yet infused it with humor and lightness. There will never be another like him. His music has been a good friend in hard times. On one dark night in one particularly difficult year, as Angels played (loudly), my wife and I clung to one another weeping as Pat reminded us that

There's thousands of them
They're bearing you up
They're holding you up
I want to hold you in my arms.

That night changed the course of our lives. Thank you Pat.

And as we sat last night - with tears - knocked down a bit - as we listened to an entire celebratory mix of the Jazz Butcher I thought about many things and many memories.

Pat the man may have left us too soon. But as a wise man once said, “do you know what happens when you leave a Fish too long in an elevator?” Pat left this world a star shining brightly - and - his music is eternal. It is not biodegradable. We are all SO lucky to have had his music in our lives. A good trusted friend in hard times. A great friend in the best of times.

Thank you Mr Fish for giving, creating and never giving up.

I shouldn’t be so hurt by this because Pat lived a great life, gave us so much good music. And Im happy I got to see him live a couple times. Pat, you will be missed by so many but still live in our hearts and turntables and streaming services for a good long time.

"Cause I can see them
Here they come now
There's thousands of them
They're bearing you up
They're holding you up
I want to hold you in my arms"

I was a DJ in the world of college radio back in the early '80s, via KCMU in Seattle, and once I heard A Scandal in Bohemia I was hooked. The Jazz Butcher might still be the most obscure band that I am absolutely NUTS about! Pat and his bands created so much great music, and his words were always both touching and hilarious - sometimes simultaneously! I am truly sad about this news and I am so glad that I felt like at least an acquaintance of Pat's (if only via Facebook). He was always kind and cool.
Rock on Jazz Butcher!

Nailed it.

I discovered The Jazz Butcher with the US compilation album Bloody Nonsense - such an incredibly diverse set of songs, infused by punk, but played with panache and style. At turns witty, absurb, caustic, and sweet, it became a formative record of my college years, and an essential collection to return to again and again (and a few more JB records). Along with a clutch of other writers of the era, Pat's songs influenced me then and to this day, and as I've made my way thru the world as a radio broadcaster and musician, everywhere I've gone I've managed to sneak in a couple spins for tunes like Drink and Partytime - which I will again today on The Current here in Minnesota, and on my Teenage Kicks show this Saturday. I never got the chance to email or let him know how much of an impact he had on me, but I hope he knew how his music shaped the lives of many, even thousands of miles away. RIP Pat - I love that hashtag I saw elsewhere on this page - #RestInPints

As a card carrying member of the Jazz Butcher fan club in the early 80s, and still hosting a weekly radio program in 2021, it's been a joy to share the magical musical wit of Pat Fish & Co (especially around Halloween season to insert some Zombie Love+Caroline Wheeler+JB Vs. Count Dracula + Devilish fun into the mix)for 20+ years. Another broadcast this week to add to the list of programs celebrating the life & music of The Jazz Butcher.

https://bff.fm/shows/allsorts #RestInPints

Thanks for making Northamptonshire a lot more interesting.

You were to me what Nick Lowe is to everyone else.

Farewell Pat, old friend, see you on the other side of the veil.
I first saw Pat performing a version of Man's Bananas with Nightshift on the pavement in Broad Street in our early days in Oxford in the mid-70s. I subsequently got to know him through our dear friend Owen Jones (a master musician himself) and followed his rise to cultish fame through The Institution, Sonic Tonix and later, of course, The Jazz Butcher.
My wife Maria and I have always hoped he forgave us for accidentally feeding him bacon scallion cream cheese when the band all came to breakfast at our place in Pittsburgh in 2000! I think he must have done because our friendship really blossomed after we moved back to London in 2008 and I started getting Pat tickets for our beloved Spurs a few times a season. It was also always a joy to see his various musical incarnations during these latter years. What a maestro, as I usually addressed him!
It's true that most people only make pop records out of plastic but Pat made them from pure gold!!
Love, Nick xxx

Remember Pat and Curtis Johnson sitting round a fire in our garden at Bridget's crazy house at St Georges Avenue jamming together. So much fun had.

Great times- thanks for always playing Take the Skinheads bowling when asked- especially in Slurps on Bridge street.

Thanks for your existing.

You enriched a lot of people’s lives with music, laughter, and conviviality - so long Pat and thanks

Such a loss. I came to the JBC via the Bauhaus/Love and Rockets route in the mid-eighties, but Pat set my listening in another direction. To this awkward New York college kid, he sang of awkward Englishness, yet with an urbanity and archness that set him apart, and even imparted a bit of hope.
I saw the JBC in 1999 at the Wetlands show in NY, and Pat made it all look easy, natural and great fun — casual but never sloppy, as he peppered the show with his wry charm.
I’d read of his recent illness, but am still shocked at his passing, somehow having counted on him always to be around, lobbing satirical sanity our way.
Ave atque vale.

Shocked to just learn of his passing. I have most of the pre creation albums. Will play them all again. Great tunes. Great sense of humour. RIP

Pat Fish was pure genius. Condition Blue still on rotation the most but you could never go wrong with anything. I was actually playing every JB record compiling my favorites for a cdr to play in the car when I heard the news. Made playing the records a bit more difficult to take. Thanks for the music Pat.

Great memories of wearing out Scandal and S&T on vinyl when they first came out. Just loved Girlfriend and Caroline Wheeler's Birthday Present. Lucky enough to see Pat & his merrymen in Guelph on the Scandal tour. Always such a great, witty sense of humour and always looked forward to the next release. Enjoyed the Fishy Mansions shows as well. Will miss you greatly Pat, RIP.

Hi folks

Pat was the great mate I never met. We did 4 podcasts together covering his life then 3 album appreciations of London Calling, Eno's 'Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) & Velvet Underground's self titled 1969 studio album.

Here's the podcast out their on his life: https://www.mixcloud.com/FrenchSpurs1/retropopic-632-pat-fish-1957-2021-a-story-of-my-life/

The broadcast goes out from Ridge Radio on the 20th November!

Love & Peace

The Saint
RETROPOPIC RADIO

Hello everyone - we broadcast a special 2 hour radio programme last night here in Paris to celebrate everything Pat Fish. Just some of our favourite tracks really & the live concert from Lausanne. A chance to celebrate just a fraction of the man's artistry, bonhomie & joie de vivre...

Click here for the replay :

https://www.mixcloud.com/A_Certain_Radio/my-vicarious-jazz-butcher-avec-vicarious-bliss-paris-10-octobre-2021/

Thanks to whoever recorded the gig & whoever took the photo we used.
Bless you Pat - thanks for everything & more <3 <3 <3

Rest in peace.


Noel

my all-time favourite. a unique genius in every way,
shape and form. your song "hysteria" hits that extra
harder now... <333

Thank you, Pat Fish, for being a light in so many lives. I will miss that twinkle in your eye, the sound of your voice & guitar and the many recent visits to 'Fishy Mansions'. Your living room concerts were a ray of hope in a dark time and it still shines. Raising a glass in your honour.

On September 25, we last corresponded with Pat. He was going to take part in our new album. I will use his words written to me in my new song and dedicate it to him. Thank you and i will always remember you Pat!
Max+The Stereofilms from Russia with Love!

Farewell, Mr. Fish. Thank you for all your wonderful music. May God bless and welcome His beautiful, brilliant, and mischievous child.

My first introduction to the music of The Jazz Butcher was through a review by Jackson Griffiths in Tower Records' Pulse Magazine. He wrote something to the effect that "Pat Fish is too clever for his own good."

My first listening experience was Big Planet, Scarey Planet. The album was an aural explosion of amazing wordplay and guitars that glistened and thundered. It made me a fan for life.

As Pat continued to live and create, I became a bit evangelical about his work. During one of his later tours, I met him and Max in NYC to film a video for "All the Saints". We filmed in the late but legendary NY venue The Cake Shop and on the roof of the building. Throughout the day, between takes and locations, Pat continually strummed his guitar and sang, like a songbird happy to be alive.

From "Saints Prayer":

May all the saints, who from their labours rest
Beneath the landslide of souls obsessed with right and wrong,
Who dared to stand against the tide,
Be on your side.

Thank you, Pat, for daring to stand against the tide. We've been blessed to live in a world enriched by your music.

So many good memories with you and Lulu,
Music, music and parties
I Hope you can play guitar and sing in paradise
Merci pour les chansons et la gentillesse, gentleman Pat 💗

Such a sad day - Pat was a rare diamond amongst coal. What a beautiful soul - he leaves a huge body of work and I am more than sure that his legacy & influence will live on for generations to come.
Ride on Pat, love xxxx

I still remember the day in 1986 when I bought the US only release, Bloody Nonsense. It became the soundtrack for our senior trip to San Diego. We wore that cassette out!
Over the years I have started to realize that most of the bands that make me laugh, also get boring once the jokes wear off. That never happened with Pat.
His sense of humor was timeless as were his melodies. For all these years, I've held onto hope that he would return to the US for some shows. I would have traveled wherever...

My first Jazz Butcher show was at the Paradise in Boston in 1989. Pat seemed genuinely surprised with and heartened by the intense enthusiasm displayed by a number of audience members, including myself. I just loved him and his music so much. There was no one else quite like him. Thanks, Pat, for bringing so much joy to so many of us!

Damn... I just can't believe I'm never going to hear
another new song by you, Pat, or get a
characteristically Fishy email from you... Gonna
miss you, dear chap (as you always called me). We
first met when I was maybe 27 and you were 32 at the
Niteclub 9:30 in Washington DC...
Turns out we had common friends: Those wonderful
Blue Aeroplanes. My band, radioblue, traveled to
the UK for a short tour with the Aeros and you hung
out with us, then later we all spent time in LA
during the making of their 'Beatsongs' Lp... it
was a blur of several years, but we struck up a
correspondence and became friends. I'll never forget
the day you sent me your home demo of "Shakey."
You'd istened to my first solo record, 'everything's
ok,' and knew I was a huge fan of Neil AND Brian...
As I recall you were very proud that you were able
to nick that first line of "Helpless" and still
create a song that was entirely your own (anyway,
that's what I told you).

I've spent the past couple days reading over our
messages, back and forth since I had email. Yours
were always a mixture of sweetness and whimsy with
closings like, "Until next time, dear chap, I
remain, as ever, yours--clutching the deck of an
Icelandic trawler, Pat x..." The handful of actual
letters I had from you were destroyed in the 2010
Nashville floods... and that seems an even greater
loss today. But I do have our FB messages since then
and I just read over them... I cherish those back
and forths. The last one was a response to a message
asking after your health and general well-being and
it read: "All is well, dear chap. Thanks for asking!
A bit quiet on the work front for now, but I need to
get some lyrics written and there's plenty of money
in the bank, so it's not the end of the world. Well,
not until that asteroid thingie ploughs into us
later in the evening, anyway. Hope this finds you in
good form, x..." Well, Pat, tonight it feels like
that asteroid has finally arrived, and I'm not in
such good form. But my life has been so much richer
having known you, having gotten drunk and laughed
with you, having seen you perform, and having had
your hand upon my shoulder. You were always so funny
and so kind... No one's ever called me "Dear
Chap," before and I don't believe anyone ever will
again... My heart goes out to your family and all
those close friends and bandmates whose sorrow must
be miles and miles deeper and wider than what I'm
feeling tonight. RIP, dear chap, as you assume your
rightful place among the last of the gentleman
adventurers, x.

It wasn't until I woke up yesterday and realised
that this was the first day of my 53 years on
this big and scary planet that Pat Fish wasn't
here. And it hurt. The man and his music has
been a big part of me since getting Scandal in
Bohemia out of Northampton library in 1985.
Looking forward to hearing the next new tune or
seeing him live has been one of the good things
which has kept me going over the past 35 years.
In trying to work out why his music means so
much and why it is so different to all the other
great bands all I can come up with is that more
than a 3 minute tune, each of his songs was more
of an eloquent, warm short story of a day in the
life of Pat which made you want to be there with
him experiencing what he was experiencing.
His live shows were a great celebration of life
and that's how I will remember him.... Head down
strumming at 100mph, hair swinging and swaying
equally fast, during the likes of Diamorphine or
Racheland or numerous other tunes, Max alongside
creating his joyous wall of sound. With my eyes
closed in awe, being consumed by the sound with
a massive smile.
Thoughts are with all his family, friends, band
mates and everyone touched by him over the
years.
It feels like that Big Old Wind has taken our
very English summer from us. Thank you for the
memories. Rave on Butch X

Very sad news. Mr. Fish was a fun artist and a true gentleman. I had the privilege/opportunity to travel along a little bit with the Jazz Butcher Conspiracy, on their Condition Blue tour. It was somewhat of an intimate groupie situation and something I’ve always looked back on with fondness. I cannot claim to have “known him.” But I can honestly say I have hung out with him, in multiple cities, in various states of sobriety and - He was a good man.

Thanks for the memories, and the music you leave for us. ❤️

A huge loss, sending all best wishes to Pat’s fans, friends and family

I've run an obituary and tribute on my website if anyone would like to see it. Feel free to add any comments.

Back in the 80's/90's, I thought of The Jazz Butcher as "mine". I could never get my social circle to get into the music as much as I was. All the right elements were there, but they never connected. Oh sure, The Devil Is My Friend is fun to play at a club, but they never got hooked.

Recently, through the scourge of social media, I realized that Pat was that special musician for a lot of people. Not sure what connects us all other than Pat. but its nice to know that that invisible web exists.

Thanks Pat for some of my all-time favorite music.
Great memories

his words are always on my mind. Hey, I just stopped short of calling out your name...

I genuinely feel like I have lost a dear friend. More than a brilliant songwriter, he was truly a lovely person.

Not a good day… he was a big part of my musical history

… or in a bar

I knew Pat from 1966. One half of those
memories are gone. Rest in Peace Pat

Very sad news. First heard Girl Go, to this day one of my favorites, when i was 15. It was very hard to buy JB albums where i live back then yet managed to get Cult of the Basement and Distressed Gentlefolk, both absolutely great records. Thank you for the music, playing those two in memoriam.

So long my pal. I still can't believe you have gone. You were so kind to me for so many years (and my associates I insisted on dragging along.) The hospitality you showed me when we stayed over.. The football talks... Bouncing around your living room to The Clash... Writing the set list in Hull... Dragging you to a Hull City game... The countless gigs... The records... The books and postcards we exchanged... The music.. God, your music, untouchable in my eyes.... A privilege to know you, a privilege to call you my friend. Sleep easy Sir, sleep easy.

A true gent. I'll never forget the last time I saw him. The homeless people sell a paper called Street Sheet for about a dollar a pop. Pat went out pre concert and signed a bunch of them. Now the homeless were getting $20 a pop selling them to the concert goers in line. I bought one.

Devastated by this terrible news today. I've been a fan for 35 years or so, and have really treasured these last few years, where Pat was doing his shows, posting online about politics and whatnot. Was hoping to get to meet him one day. Very deeply grateful for his body of work, and his beautiful spirit.

I shouldn’t be so hurt by this because Pat lived a great life, gave us so much good music. And Im happy I got to see him live a couple times. Pat, you will be missed by so many but still live in our hearts and turntables and streaming services for a good long time.

Pat, you'll be missed. Rest easy. Im kind of gutted
by the news. 24hours later I still have my playlist
on of all my favorites, pulled out records and tapes
and Cds .I just cant believe it. Why do awful people
live forever? Farewell to the Last of the Gentleman
Adventurers.